7 Types of Foods to Stay Away From (or How to make them Healthier)

If you are serious about having more energy, feeling better on a daily basis, and gaining that confidence back, then you need to watch what you’re eating more carefully.

In our Infographic below, we share 7 types of foods that you should try to steer clear of.

I recommend treating yourself to a select few favorite in small portions from time to time…just don’t make it a habit.

This rewards you for resisting those cravings………..while reminding yourself that it’s okay to have these snacks on occasion.

1. Hot Dogs

Filled with sodium nitrate to extend their storage life, they aren’t a healthy food choice. If you’re going to eat a hot dog though, you can make it more nutritious by skipping the bun or picking a healthy bun to go along with it.

2. Hamburgers

The reason hamburgers are on this list is because most individuals don’t pick quality meat when looking to make hamburgers. To make this food healthier, you have a lot of different options. You can go with a higher quality meat or try out turkey burgers (try one before you dismiss the idea).

3. Fried Foods

Fried foods are probably the worst group on this list. From increasing your risk of heart disease, clogging arteries, among many others, this is one type of food to stay away from. It’s okay to cheat once in a while but don’t make a habit of it.

Instead of frying, those same foods can be cooked in a much healthier way. Three of those ways are grilling, pan-searing, and broiling. Add some seasoning and your body will thank you for the healthier choice.

4. Pizza

Pizza is full of grease, unhealthy oils, and toppings that may or may not be good for you. If you make pizza at home, it will be a little easier to make this food a healthy option (white pizza, nutritious toppings, etc.)

5. Potato Chips

Similar to fried foods above, potato chips should be consumed as little as possible during your diet.

6. Ice Cream

Ice cream is a delicious snack, but it’s filled with calories you don’t need. Simply staying away from it during your diet will let you shed those pounds off more easily. Pick a healthier brand if you really crave it. Another option to try is freezing a few bananas after chopping/softening them. Once frozen, remove from the freezer and let them adjust to a warmer temperature on the counter or in the fridge (within 15-20 minutes, you’ll have a cool snack that tastes great too).

7. Packaged Foods

We all know that fresh foods & produce are the healthier option, but packaged foods seem like the easier choice sometimes. Packaged foods may contain MSG and levels of sodium that are too high for your daily consumption needs. Stick away from packaged foods as much as you can. Not only will you save money buying fresh produce, but you are going with the best nutritional option.

As I eluded to earlier in the post…..the goal is not to completely eliminate all unhealthy foods if you enjoy eating them.

The goal is to enjoy them in moderation……….while also finding other healthy staples to add to your diet additionally.

What are your personal favorite snack foods? How do you try to make them healthier?